Course leader inspires at International Illustration Research Symposium

Barnaby Lickens-Richards, who leads Falmouth University’s online illustration master’s degree, shared his understanding of illustration at the 14^th International Illustration Research Symposium.

The conference was held in November 2024 at University of the Arts London’s Chelsea College of Arts, where Barnaby was joined in presenting papers by colleague Dr Amy Goodwin, who also teaches on the Illustration MA (Online), and alumni, Ksenia Kopalova.

The theme for the conference was 'Illustration and Heritage: Sharing Histories to Draw Out Futures,' and included papers by researchers in illustration, heritage, architecture, and more. The conference explored how we can look at architecture as historical material, the active processes of heritage making through archives and collections, and the making and giving of a ‘voice.’ It asked its speakers to share their ideas on how contemporary illustrators participate in historical narratives and give voice to people and communities — remembered, obscured, and imagined — through their work.

Taking part in one of the first panels of the weekend, Barnaby discussed his paper ‘The Alphabet Tree: Concerning image-text relations, medieval schematics and material visions’, in which he explores writing as a visual practice and how it gives voice to a historical tradition within which the maker is cradled. He also explores how the desire to be part of something larger than the individual is central to illustration.  

Speaking of his time at the conference, Barnaby said: “It was a wonderfully enriching event and especially good to connect with colleagues around the country.”

When asked what he hoped attendees would take away, he replied: “How a preoccupation with the processes of the past can help us to articulate, find meaning within, and illuminate modern illustration practice.”

The event was organised by Illustration Research in partnership with the Association of Illustrators, Illustration Educators, and the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.

Barnaby Lickens-Richards is the course leader of Falmouth’s online master’s degree in illustration, a course where students are given the freedom to develop a deeper understanding of illustration and its cultural significance, while strengthening their technical and visual skills as they work on a series of projects.

Learn more about Illustration MA (Online)